Friday, October 24, 2008

Boeing - Machinist Strike

My message to Boeing is to "hold tight". Do not give in. These machinists on strike make an average of $60,000 a year not including health benefits, lifetime pensions, and they work only as fast as the slowest worker. Why work any harder and faster? Depending on seniority and assignments, everybody makes the same.

Most Boeing workers have two incomes. I know, my wife's cousin worked all his adult life for Boeing. Boeing offered all types of recreation for their employees and guests. I played indoor tennis in a free Boeing Recreation Center.

4 comments:

leemoore
said...

Spoken like a true Boeing upper-management person. I could not help but notice that he said nothing about out-sourcing jobs; especially out of the good old USA. Could this be part of the current financial situation we find ourselves in ? ? Also: what about TAKING benefits from workers ? ? The current offer gives a little bit, and takes a lot. It sounds like the company is simply trying to break the union. The strike is Spending more than settling the union demands would cost, just to make a point. Actually; WHAT IS THE POINT ? ?

What an idiot. We are a single family income Boeing family. My husband has been a part of the company for 12 years. Last year we were still approved for reduced lunch. Maybe if we get a nice bonus, I can take all the kids to the dentist. Seriously check your facts!!

Yes, I am a management person who successfully worked with the Teamster Union for 22 years.

Source of the $65,000 for MACHINISTS, janitors and cafeteria employee provably make less, is the WSJ 10/22 or 23. "Boeing Striker Dig in Heels Even as Economy Turns Sour" by analyst J. Lynn Lunsford. Background on Google. He wrote "The machinists who earned an AVERAGE of $65,000 a year.....".

Outsourcing? I'll do a blog on outsourcing soon but in the meantime I quote Thomas Friedman athour of "The World is Flat" "Any job that involves standardized skill can be exported." I suggest you read the book.

Why outsource? To stay competitive.

I don't need to prove it because its already been proved. Union members or the general public buy where they can get a better price. That's why Walmart is the one of the few compannies on the NTSE that is up in stock value for the year.

Look at Boeing stock, way down. Why, maybe bad management, maybe powerful unions with workers who we used to tell "don't let the door hit you in the ass when the closing whistle sounds".

Or as Forbes Magazine said in an article dated 4/9/07 "How many autoworkers does it take to change a drill bit ?".

What's my point, I just made it and if you feel I haven't, read todays WSJ "How Detroit Drove Itself Into a Ditch".

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About Me

Born on a farm between Congerville and Carlock, Il., graduated from Normal Commnity High School, served in Armed Services, graduated from Western Illinois University, Macomb, Il., Taught and was head Basketball Coach in High Schools for 5 years. Worked for a Fortune 500 Campany 8 years, 5 in management.
Opened my own business in 1964 with 2 employees in Peoria, opened multiple stores and offices in Central Illinois and sold out in 1992. My name still uses my name, Widmer Interiors, which was a division of my company which started selling filing systems and grew to $11 million in sales as a company similar to Staples.
At the age of 75, I was elected to the Peoria County board and served 3 complete terms,4 years as Board Vice-Chairman..
Tennis is my recreation and I have over 200 trophies all won between tne ages of 55-85.. I am married to Claire and have 2 lovely daughters from a previous marriage. My only son is deceased. I have 3 grandsons, one lovely daughter-in-law, one son-in-law and numours grandchildren and great-grand-children.
I have posted over 2500 blogs since 2004. Read, enjoy, or dis-agree but I stick to the facts to the best of my knowledge.